TORONTO, June 10 (Reuters) - Toronto’s main stock index closed sharply higher on Thursday, led by its heavyweight resource and financial sectors, as European Central Bank moves and a leap in Chinese exports brightened sentiment and boosted the demand outlook for commodities.

Official data showed Chinese exports jumped 48.5 percent in May from a year earlier, well above forecasts for a 32 percent gain and confirming a Reuters report from Wednesday. [ID:nTOE65901X]

The price of oil rose more than $1 to above $75 a barrel as the solid Chinese figures and a rosier demand forecast by the International Energy Agency attracted buyers, lifting the TSX index’s powerhouse energy group 2.3 percent. [O/R]

“There’s been a lot of concern about China for a while and that clearly makes the case for commodities,” said Jean-Francois Dion, vice-president and portfolio adviser for Canadian equities at RBC Dominion Securities.

Financials, which have been lagging recently, gained 1.6 percent after the European Central Bank said it would provide unlimited liquidity to banks until the end of this year and kept rates on hold, while pressing on with its policy of buying euro government bonds. [ID:nLDE6590CW]